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08/08/2004 |
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Genius’ Controllerless PCI Modem If your modem breaks down, Don Bradbury reviews a new type you might consider installing as replacement.
Modems are pretty reliable. However, when they do fail, it can be for any number of reasons, some of them difficult to identify. When that time comes, Genius would like you to consider their new and award-winning host-based, controllerless type, the GM56PCI-L. It’s a 32-bit PCI card with Lucent DSP1646 chipset,
offering 56K theoretical connections (you won’t see that but
probably around 48kbps), data, fax, and TAM functions, with full
V.90/K56flex protocol support.
Controllerless At the price, this would be immediately recognised as a good buy if the modem was of the hardware type. But this one isn’t; it’s a so-called controllerless type, a relatively new innovation that cuts costs without the hefty penalty of the software modem where all the work of processing is passed onto your PC’s CPU - for which reason, we wouldn’t advice the purchase thereof. Such a design slows down all CPU-intensive applications and is, let’s face it, a pain for anyone who is at all serious about their online work. Far better is the hardware modem where all the communications work is done ‘in-house’ by the modem’s own processor. A host based, controllerless modem, such as this genius example, passes only a modest amount of processing onto the PC’s CPU. Most of the action takes place on-board the modem itself. The processing penalty is therefore greatly reduced, relative to the software modem, and the cost savings are passed on to the buyer. A neat idea; does it work? Installation Installation was quite easy. It simply involved disconnecting the relevant leads at the rear of the PC, grounding your body on some electrical conductor like a radiator to eliminate static, removing the case from your PC’s system box, removing the screw or clip that holds the old modem in it’s slot, and then inserting the new modem into the slot. Replace the screw and system case, remake the connections at the back, switch on the computer, install the driver, tell Windows about the new device in Dial-Up Networking, and away you go; the job’s done. We didn’t have any trouble with this process, although at boot time Windows ME thought it had the correct driver ready to install in it’s database and proceeded to do so automatically. Connections speeds were low, however, at around 33kbps. When the Genius driver CD was sourced as the correct driver, connections speeds immediately rose to around 48kbps, and that was considered a satisfactory and anticipated performance. With faxing at 14.4kbps, comprehensive manuals and software on CD, including an AT command set for this type of modem, and plug-and-play simplicity of installation and operating, this product will satisfy the majority of potential users. In conclusion After a period of web surfing, no significant speed penalties were apparent using this modem in comparison with the full hardware type it was replacing. So, at the price, it was considered a good buy. Aficionados of the surfing and general online arts, however, may query cost-cutting in the modem department and gladly pay the extra for a full hardware device. But for the occasional user this Genius modem should prove satisfactory; you’ll probably never notice the difference - while you pocket the savings. |
